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761. Exclusive Interview with Scot Amos and Virginia McArthur

Written on Thursday 13 October 2005 at 23:06 by ChEeTaH - 0 comments.

A few weeks ago Scot Amos and Virginia McArthur held a presentation in Amsterdam, to show the games they're producing: The Sims 2 on Consoles and Handhelds. We've held an exclusive interview with both of them, so they could tell a little bit about the game, but also about their jobs as producers. They also tell which Sims games they play after work:

Scot: "I do. Believe it or not, I actually play the console version and the PC version."

Virginia: "I actually just got University, but haven't had time to play it yet, I've been developing a lot of titles this year, so I got University and am about to put it on my laptop, and then I'm going to start playing University. One of the big things in University is the all new build mode, because I'm a doll houser and I like to build."

Make sure you read the interview to find out what else they shared with us and the community, and what Scot drinks to prepare for a presentation...

If you want to know more about the upcoming Sims 2 games you can always pick up on our preview special posted earlier.

762. University and Nightlife Patches Released

Written on Thursday 13 October 2005 at 00:09 by ChEeTaH - 1 comment.

It's been a long wait, but as announced early today, two new patches have been released. One is for University, and one for Nightlife (and University as well, if you have it). You'll only need one patch, for the latest expansion pack you have - so you don't need to download the University patch if you also have Nightlife installed. Many bugs and problems have been fixed, as the list of fixes, especially for University, is a long one. The Nightlife list is a little shorter (although all the University fixes are included too). Some heavily discussed bugs have been fixed, but the problem with Mrs. Crumplebottom being bitten by a vampire causing problems has not yet been solved in the patch. A second patch for Nightlife might fix it, although it's not yet entirely sure if Maxis is making one yet. A full list of problems that have been fixed can be found on the update page, but here's a summary of the most notable fixes in the patches:

• Fixed a bug where inventory items and all memories were being deleted after joining a Greek house.
• Fixed an issue where hard-earned diplomas could be stolen or repossessed.
• Prevented teens from receiving the "Win Young Entrepreneur's Award" Want when it is already satisfied.
• Prevented an exploit with the Resurrect-O-Nomitron that allowed more than 8 Sims to live on a lot. (caused many other issues)
• Fixed an issue where the game would freeze if the user input frame for paintings or the camera appeared during a special event cinematic
• The Grim Reaper will no longer fail to leave a lot if multiple Sims die and the lot is left empty.
• Exercise machines introduced in University are now unbreakable.
• Fixed a rare instance where the Mascot NPC would become stuck in place after pulling the sprinkler prank.
• The proper text notification is now displayed when a pledge is denied entrance to a Greek House due to relationship score.
• Prevented a rare instance where dormies could become stuck in a semi-transparent, unelectable state.
• Sims could not sit on a barstool at the Bachman Busbar (cheap bar)
• There was an issue with the game locking up when in cameraman mode while a pregnancy state transition occurred or a Sim burned to death.
• There was the possibility that when using multiple nannies, one could become stuck on the lot indefinitely. Even after dismissal.
• Sick Sims can no longer die of disease while on community lots.
• The lifetime want to "Max Out 7 Skills" would not properly satisfy if the final skill point was gained via a SimVac aspiration reward object.
• The "Buy a Fountain Costing at least 600 Simoleons" Want has been removed from the game.
• Placing "Myne Door" dorm doors diagonally no longer causes entire rooms to turn invisible.
• Player controlled young adult Sims now properly retain their semester gauge level when being asked to move in to another lot.
• Sims no longer play the extended browse animation when purchasing an item from the clothing rack.
• Fixed a problem where in very specific circumstances age transitions would fail.
• Ringing cell phones no longer wake up napping Sims.
• Fixed a bug that prevented large groups of Sims from entering the helicopter carpool.
• Sims who write great novels now receive the memory for "Wrote Great Novel" rather than the Sim who answered the royalty check phone call.
• Fixed a major issue where loading a lot with the remote control car in use would make all memory and job icons blank.
• Fixed a problem that caused pianos that have been owned for a certain amount of time to cease providing fun.
• Level 6 Greek Houses can now accept pledges
• Eliminated a problem where Greek Houses were not accepting the proper amount of pledges per level.
• Sims can now Propose > Move In or Propose > Marriage towards non player young adult Sims that they became engaged to while in college.
• Fixed an instance where the player was unable to exit or save the game if they cancelled an adoption related interaction with the social worker.
• The "Cheer Up" interaction no longer causes crushes between Sims.
• Zits are now removed from any Sim that enters university. (growing into a young adult)
• Sims no longer get crushes from playing handhelds together.
• Babies are no longer available in the pool of online chatters.
• The "Stay Home from Work" want can now be satisfied.
• When being called for dinner, the headmaster will no longer decide to leave immediately after arriving on the lot.
• Improved the cleanup of kicky bags (automatically cleans up any invisible kicky bags on lots)
• Prevented an issue where the headmaster could get stuck indefinitely in a hot tub under certain motive conditions.
• Book cleanup has been improved to prevent the potential deletion of unintentional objects, such as vehicle portals.
• Sims can now feed smart milk to toddler Sims sitting in high chairs.
• Fixed a rare occurrence of a reset that would leave a user unable to save or quite after a Sim gave birth.
• User created paintings created prior to installing an expansion pack can now be sold or deleted.
• The player will no longer receive text notification messages that deceased Sims "are no longer friends. "
• Usability of custom content management has been improved by retaining the most recent page of content after deleting an object, wall, or floor.
• Fixed a rare issue that in various situations caused a pregnant Sim experiencing morning sickness to die. (aka Sudden Pregnancy Death Syndrome)
• Fixed an issue with cell phones being removed from Sims' inventories after installing Nightlife.
• Fixed an issue where a Sim being embarrassed could force the Sim out of poker interactions.
• Wants for specific electronic devices no longer roll in after a Sim owns that electronic device.
• Diplomas that were in the career reward panel for University now properly appear in the inventory after installing Nightlife.
• The lot view options are now saved properly after exiting and restarting the game.
• Pre-placed tombstones will now appear in build mode when transported to community lots.
• Fixed an issue that, in certain regional versions of the game, caused the voice audio for the karaoke machine to be intermittent or non-existent.
• Fixed an improper "$jobTitle" string was being displayed when Sims were asked about their jobs in some regional versions of the game.
• Fixed a rare bug that could cause a Sim drinking a potion to vanish from the game.

As said, the above list is far from complete. If you only have University, then download the University patch (21.1 Mb). In case you also have Nightlife, or Nightlife only, then get the Nightlife patch (17.3 Mb). The University page has a list of all fixes in both patches, while the Nightlife page also contains a list of a few Nightlife specific bugs. If you don't have any of the expansion packs, then there is still an older patch for the base game. All patches work no matter which language you installed the game in. Note that you need the game CD to be in your drive to install the patches.

763. Holiday Party Pack for $14.99

Written on Wednesday 12 October 2005 at 13:28 by ChEeTaH - 0 comments.

Yesterday we already reported that Maxis is releasing a Holiday Party Pack (Christmas Party Pack in the UK) next month. The item has now appeared on the EA Store, where you can pre-order the pack (North America only) and get free shipping. The item is listed with a price tag of $14.95. A European price is not yet known.

764. Patch Online Today (Wednesday)

Written on Wednesday 12 October 2005 at 13:17 by ChEeTaH - 3 comments.

A little bit of news about the University and Nightlife patch has appeared again. MaxoidKane has said that she received word that the patch will be published today on the official website. Along with the patch a list of what it all fixes will be posted as well - so far there are no exact details concerning that. Read MaxoidKane's BBS post of yesterday in which she announces the patch release date. Thanks to SP Zone for the link.

765. Sims 2 European Release Dates, PSP Pack shot

Written on Wednesday 12 October 2005 at 02:23 by ChEeTaH - 0 comments.

The European release dates for the Sims 2 in Europe were never officially confirmed. The games will be arriving the US later this month. However, the press site of EA UK now shows a new release date for the Sims 2 in Europe. The PS2, XBox, GameCube, GBA and NDS versions will all be released on 4 November. The PSP version will be released later, at 2 December. An American release date for the PSP edition, as well as any release date for the mobile versions, are still unknown.

We've already shown you quite some pack shots (and more) for these games on several platforms earlier, but a European box shot of the PSP game hasn't been spotted yet. Although it's not much different from the other graphics, it's appeared on Amazon now. As we don't want to keep it from you, you can find it below - with the 12+ PEGI rating printed on it.

All games can be pre-ordered from our our shop. Order there and support us a little bit too!

766. The Sims 2 Holiday Party Pack (Christmas Party Pack) and Holiday Edition Announced

Written on Wednesday 12 October 2005 at 02:05 by ChEeTaH - 0 comments.

Following earlier rumours about booster packs from surveys, EA has announced what looks like the first one today. The Holiday Party Pack, or the Christmas Party Pack in Europe, contains 40 new decorational items and objects, as well as some assets for Create-A-Sim, all in the theme of the upcoming holidays. Along with the pack EA is also releasing a special Holiday Edition of the Sims 2 will also be released in the US - in the European press release that special edition is not mentioned. Among the 40 items are a mistletoe, stockings, snowmen, wreaths, winter-themed paintings, christmas lights, frosted windows, and reindeer lawn ornaments. Besides the press release there are two information pages on the official site, for the holiday edition and the party pack. On the second page, the following additional information is given:

• Serve a holiday feast for the whole family!
• Get festive and decorate your Sim's house with Mistletoe, Stockings, Snowmen, Wreaths, Winter-themed Paintings and more! Complete the house exterior with Christmas Lights, Frosted Windows, and Reindeer Lawn Ornaments.
• Dress up as Santa or Mrs. Claus and experience their arrival on Christmas Eve.
• Throw a happening New Year's Eve party and don't forget to set off some fireworks!
• Includes all 12 objects featured in The Sims 2 Holiday Giveaway.
• Also includes previously released holiday favorites from Easter, Chanukah, Kwanzaa and Halloween.

If last year's holiday items are included in the count of 40, as well as the 12 objects for the Giveaway, is not mentioned specifically. The Giveaway objects will be made available for download on the official site as well. The release date for this bonus pack is set to 17 or 18 November, though the date may vary depending on where you live. In the US it gets a T for Teen rating by ESRB, and in Europe the PEGI rates the pack with 12+. The holiday edition of the Sims 2, available for a limited time only, will be available for the usual retail price of around $40 - the price for just the bonus content is not mentioned. More information can be found in the press release (American). In the European version the name is slightly different, as well as release date (18 November instead of 17 November) and the rating, and the information about the special edition is left out.

Finally there are some screenshots and artworks of the pack, including a pack shot of the holiday edition. Click the thumbnails below for larger versions. The last 6 images from the information page are in their original sizes already and thus cannot be enlarged.

767. MTV Looking For Simmers

Written on Wednesday 12 October 2005 at 00:49 by ChEeTaH - 1 comment.

Young Sims fans in the USA of under 22, willing to share their stories of the Sims, are able to star in a MTV documentary that's currently in the make. Especially stories that focus on "the Sims game helping to make people's fantasies become realities" are wanted. If the game has made you less insecure, or if it has affected your real life in either a positive or negative way, or if it made you go somewhere you've never been, either in real or Sims life, then you might be the one MTV wants. You can enter by sending in some personal information and, if you have one, a video of yourself. All the details about entering are in this thread in which MaxoidKane announces the documentary. When the documentary will be shown is unknown, as is if the show is on only in the US or also elsewhere on local MTV channels. Thanks to SP Zone for the link.

768. Yahoo! Previews Sims 2 (Console) with Screens (PSP, Mobile)

Written on Wednesday 12 October 2005 at 00:43 by ChEeTaH - 0 comments.

The Games Division of Yahoo! has recently published a preview of the Sims 2 on consoles. In two pages the basics of the game are explained, and some of the console specific features are highlighted too. The two-player split screen mode that's exclusive to the Console versions is called interesting, yet a downside is that players cannot interact and react to each other. Only one can talk to another at a time. Finally it's also mentioned that what the game calls obese is more like "a little chubby" for most people. Read the preview for details. Also, Yahoo! has posted some screenshots for the PSP and Mobile versions, which you can see below.

769. Sims 2 University (Mac) Pre-order

Written on Wednesday 12 October 2005 at 00:32 by ChEeTaH - 0 comments.

Aspyr is finishing the work on the Sims 2 University for the Mac. Even though the second expansion is already out on PC, the first is yet to be released on Mac. The game has now hit alpha status, and is expected to be released next month. The game info page also shows that the pack can now be pre-ordered.

Naturally we already have the game up for pre-order in our Mac Shop, where you can get it for £16.99 or $29.99. Amazon expects to start shipping the expansion as of 14 November in the US and 25 November in the UK, though these dates are officially still unconfirmed.

770. The Sims 2 Nightlife - Our Review Part 4 - DOWNTOWN

Written on Monday 10 October 2005 at 04:00 by Andy - 0 comments.

For the fourth part of our NIGHTLIFE review, with help from John, Martha, Alyssa and Steve, we try to give you a greater understanding of the Deceased, Discos, Dining and Downtown.

With also a night out Bowling, a few spins in an Electrodance Spheres, a cozy morphing moment in a Photobooths and proof whether Arnold Schwarzenegger can or cannot do The Smustle, there is quite a bit in this latest section and we hope you enjoy it.

It's right here!